DIY for the creative on a budget

Tag Archives: art

Ok guys, I’m going to start off by apologizing, as it has been awhile since my last post. I have had such a crazy week, you wouldn’t believe it. Normally I don’t have too much going on, but of course everything piled up at the exact same time…welcome to my world.

I tried very hard to stay on top of things with different organizational strategies, which is just a fancy name I give my obsessive list making. I have many different lists constantly going, such as my “Please try to get this done” list, my “You actually HAVE to do this stuff” list, “Do this ASAP!” list, and of course, my “HOLY $*@! GET THIS DONE!!!” list. Unfortunately, I normally just look at my lists, get stressed out, and then do something else to calm me down. NOTE: this is NOT a recommended strategy for overcoming a heavy workload.

Anyway, the point of me telling you all of this is because my organization, or lack there of, is what inspired this post. I believe that in order to be productive you need a clean workspace, or at least this is what I tell myself to give me something to do besides the work I actually need to be doing. While I was cleaning, I found my stash of empty toilet paper rolls. Yes, I said toilet paper rolls. I never like to throw them away because I am convinced that I will do something awesome with them one day. Guess what….THAT DAY IS HERE!!

I have played around with different things to do with these rolls, and have come up with some good projects. I’ll show you how to make the base, and then give you some cool ideas that I’ve seen. Let’s get started!

Supplies:

Toilet paper rolls

Scissors

Paint (optional)

Glue (hot glue of tacky glue works best)

They all start with the same basic steps:

1. Get rid of all the bits of toilet paper left on the roll

2. Flatten the roll

3. Cut the roll (short ways) into strips, about 5 times

4. If you want to, paint the strips inside and out, although I think just the brown can still look good. **You can do this before you cut, although afterwards its easier to get the inside. **You can also paint after the project is assembled, however if you do this, I would recommend spray paint.

5. Add a small drop of glue to one end of the strip, then clip it to another strip while it dries

6. Continue this until you have made a complete flower (5-6 strips)

Now it is up to you! I personally like just having the flowers up on the wall like so…

However I have also included a few other ideas. They basically all start with the flower, and expand from there.

I know it has been awhile since my last post, it’s been a hectic time. However, I’m back with some great projects the new season that is upon us: SPRING!

Most people associate a fresh start with the New Year, but I think it is better suited with Spring. This is the time of year when everything is bright, happy, and clean. You can go outside to enjoy the weather without sweating buckets, which is a rare occasion here in Texas. That is why we should take advantage of this nice weather before we begin to boil again.

Let’s start with the least fun, yet most important, part about having a fresh beginning this time of year: Spring Cleaning. How to do it, you ask? I have three words for you: PURGE PURGE PURGE. Take it from a hoarder herself, it’s difficult, but definitely worth it. Getting rid of some old junk and decluttering your home just makes you feel better and lighter.

Here are some purge guidelines:

1. If you haven’t worn it, used it, or seen it since the last time you decided to clean your house, get rid of it!

2. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to something just yet, put it in a box in the attic or garage. If you never find yourself looking for it within a year, throw it out then.

3. Be realistic. If you haven’t worn or used it since you bought it, it’s probably never going to happen.

4. And my personal favorite: sell it! If your stuff is decent, have a garage sale and make some money to go buy more stuff you’ll never use! 🙂

Next step: actually clean!

While you’re going through all of your stuff, get in those nooks and crannies with a dust buster and a mop! It’s time to dust every surface of your house and actually clean those floors, not just sweep the dirt off. You will feel so good and like you can actually breathe again!

Just take a day or two, put on some rockin’ tunes, and sing your way through every room with a “give away” box and a mop in your hands. Trust me, it will be as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Now let’s get to the fun stuff! Once you’ve cleaned your house, it’s time to add some springtime joy!

Spring is the time to brighten your life and your home. Open those curtains and let the sun fill your home. This is a great time to add some plants to your house or yard in order to really liven up the place. Painting or decorating pots is a great way to add even more color and joy to your home!

Try this quick and easy way to add some color to those walls!

Love Birds!

Supplies:

– Canvas or paper (card stock or water color paper is best-you might also want a frame)

-Paint brushes (smaller one for the birds and a medium-sized one for the background)

-Black Sharpie

-Paints (Black for the birds, and for the background, I recommend bright, happy colors, but nothing that will give you a headache)

*I just use Craft Smart acrylics from Michael’s (a.k.a. my second home)

Instructions:

1. Decisions. I know, I hate making decisions too, but you first must decide what colors you want for the background. The background is the only color in the painting, so it is important to choose wisely. I don’t like to do just one solid color, instead I do a radial gradient (a fancy way of saying that my background will go from light to dark starting from the middle of the canvas.)

When deciding on colors, it is important to think about where you want to put the painting once you are done. The colors don’t have to match perfectly, in fact it’s probably better if they don’t, but you just don’t want them to clash. You also need to decide the feel you want this painting to have. I am going to use yellows and oranges because not only do they match my living room, but they also give off a warm, happy feeling, perfect for spring. You want at least three different shades, but the difference between them not to be too strong. I will use a very light yellow, a golden yellow, and a yellow orange.

2. It’s time to start painting! First take or create you mid-tone color you want for the background and water it down a bit. You can do this by dipping the brush with water first, or getting a mall bowl and mixing water into the paint. You don’t want it to be too watery, you just want to lower the opacity of the paint. Paint the entire canvas with the watered down version. This will make sure no white comes through under your background.

3. Now take the lightest color you want in your background, and start by making a circle in the center of the canvas, then begin to widen it. I find it easier if my brush is always slightly wet. Then, take the mid color and slowly start to blend them together, if your brush is wet and you don’t let the paint dry too much in-between colors, it will be easier to blend. Also, I don’t wash my brush between colors, I find it creates for a smoother transition.)

Continue this until you have filled the entire canvas, using as many different shades as you want.

5. Edges! It is very important to paint the edges of your canvas. I like to continue my background into the edges, but you can also paint them a solid color like black, to match the birds.

6. Let the background dry. If you get too impatient (like me) you can try using a blowdryer to speed up the process.

7. Now we have to decide where we want the birds to be sitting. To create the line, you can use a small brush or a black marker. I like to make the line a little uneven in order to add more variety to the image. Make the line starting below the half way mark on the left, and continue the line to a lower point on the right.

8. Birds: The birds may seem tricky, but are actually quite simple. I am going to break them down into three basic shapes. If you feel uncomfortable using a brush for the birds, feel free to use a marker instead to give you more control, I know I prefer markers to brushes!

Let’s start with the bird on the far right. First make a heart (more tall/skinny than short and wide) with the bottom tip resting on the line. Tilt the heart ever so slightly to the left. Then draw a circle in between the two humps of the heart. Lastly, create a long, skinny triangle starting at the tip of the heart, down at a slight angle.

9. Repeat the same steps with the second bird, except tilt the heart slightly to the right, so they are leaning towards each other. Fill in the shapes to make the birds into silhouette. Last but not least, draw a tiny heart in between their heads.

You’re done! All you have to do is sign it (bottom right corner or edge is best) and hang it up!

That’s all I have for y’all this week. I wish you all a very good fresh start with this upcoming spring! Happy cleaning and painting!

How are you getting ready for spring? Do you have any spring cleaning tips?

As you all know, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, otherwise known as National Singles Awareness Day. And if you are not as in loooove as everyone around you seems to be, you are more like me: unbelievably single.

That is why not only did I want to give you ideas for V-day gifts, but also to have a good (or bad, not sure how to phrase this) anti-Valentne’s Day.

May it be an anti-V-day party with friends or binge-watching netflix with a tube of cookie dough, as I will be doing, we’re all entitled to hating on the happy couples for this one day.

You’re in love, we get it. And we’re all happy for you, but there is no need to rub it in, which is why I will stay cooped up in my room wearing pajamas and making these crafts in honor of my single state.

Voodoo Dolls

This one requires a little more effort than most of my other crafts, but it’s worth it!

Supplies:

Pipe Cleaners (doesn’t matter the color, you’re covering it anyway!)

Yarn

Embroidery Floss (or just colored string)

Wooden bead/ball

School glue

Hot glue (highly recommend, but not necessary)

Scissors

Needle (only for relieving anger once doll is complete)

Instructions:

1. Skeleton: Fold a pipe cleaner in half, and hot glue middle into the wooden bead

2. Body: Bend pipe cleaners about an inch away from head to make arms, then back to the middle. Then bend remaining length in half for the legs-it basically makes a star shape. If your pipe cleaners are very fuzzy, you may need to trim them

3. Mummy: Tie the end of your yarn around the doll’s waist, then start wrapping! You want to wrap the entire body, including the head. If the yarn keeps slipping, feel free to use some glue (you will definitely need some hot glue on the bead)

It’s ok if a little pipe cleaner sticks out around the hands and feet

* If you like the mummy look, feel free to stop now, but I recommend you keep going!

4. Clothes: Next you will wrap the body in the colored embroidery floss. I would recommend starting by tying the end to the doll. You can use different colors to give the doll a shirt and pants. Again, feel free to use glue (especially on the hands and feet).

I would also suggest spreading some school glue over the back of the doll to really keep the string in place.

5. Personalize: This is where you can really have some fun. You can glue on googley eyes, buttons, felt pieces, or even a picture of your ex!

6. Stab away (but only the doll!)

Suckers

These are great for party favors or just to spread all that ‘looove’ you’re feeling on this special day.

Supplies:

lollipops (the flat ones work the best)

paper (colored is better -probably not red or pink)

stapler

marker

Instructions:

1. Cut the paper so when you fold it over, it covers the entire head of the lollipop. It can be different depending on the size lollipops you have, but mine is 4 inches

2. Write your message on both sides of the paper. Make sure you right them in different directions, so when you fold it, the message can be read from both sides

ideas: “You Suck.” “Sucker.” “Suck it.”

3. Fold the paper over the head of the lollipop, and staple it around the edges

4. Spread the Anti-Valentine’s Day spirit!

Those are just a couple ideas I had to share my loving spirit of this day. I hope all of you have a better V-Day than those annoyingly happy couples! Let me know how you celebrate Single Awareness Day!

*And don’t forget the cookie dough and nutella so you can cope with your feelings the healthy way-by eating them.